Shapewear garment

ABSTRACT

A garment constructed in accordance with the present disclosure provides support to a wearer, while still contouring to the wearer&#39;s body. Preferably, the garment is made from a disclosed combination of rigid panels and more elastic panels, with more support on the wearer&#39;s front and more elasticity for contouring to the wearer&#39;s back and sides. The mesh panels take the natural shape of the wearer&#39;s hips and buttocks, supporting the form rather than trying to force the wearer&#39;s body into a particular shape.

I. BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to garments, specifically shapewear andgarments worn under clothing, as liners.

Description of the Related Art

Current shapewear garments force a particular shape on the wearer, butare typically designed for people of a straight, oval and rectangle bodytypes. These garments do not provide shapewear coverage for individualswith various combinations of a: slender waist, wide hips and a fullposterior as opposed to a flat one. Individuals, typically denominatedas “curvy” who have hourglass and pear shapes no matter their size bycontrast, cannot wear even appropriately sized shapewear garmentswithout an unattractive and uncomfortable “blocky” shape where the bodyresists the form the shapewear wants it to take. Such individuals oftendesire to enhance their natural appearance without noticeably alteringit.

Thus, there is a need for an improved shapewear garment that providesthe support of shapewear while still appropriately flexing to match thewearer's natural curves.

II. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure include a shapewear garment. Inone embodiment, the garment comprises a front body panel, back bodypanel, side panels on either side, a reinforced front mesh panel, sidemesh panels and a back mesh panel.

In another embodiment, the garment comprises a front body panel, backbody panel, side mesh panels on either side, a front reinforced meshpanel for tummy control, and a back mesh panel, wherein the side meshpanels are also mesh to allow the wearers hips and waist to take theirnatural shape. In some embodiments, the side mesh panels may be ofdifferent shapes according to particular, non-functional designs.

In another embodiment, the garment additionally comprises a band made ofa nylon blend, elastane, elastic, stretch lace, or flat miliskin with orwithout a silicone backing, that can begin at the start of the wearer'swaist or it can be high-waisted and connected to the top opening of thegarment.

In another embodiment, the garment is seamless, while in anotherembodiment the panels of the garment are connected by zig-zag oroverlock stitches.

In another embodiment, the garment is seamlessly or is attached by oneoverall seam to tights to create leg hosiery.

In another embodiment, the garment is a high-waisted panty, with areinforced mesh front body panel, side mesh panel and back mesh panel.

In another embodiment, the garment is a liner, worn under clothing,specifically sewn into a dress or skirt. Alternatively, the garment isattached to leg hosiery, by latches or other ways known in the art.

III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above recited features of the presentdisclosure can be understood in detail, a more particular description ofthe disclosure, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to theembodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Itis to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate onlytypical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to beconsidered limiting of its scope, for the disclosure may admit to otherequally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 depicts an anterior view of one embodiment of a shapeweargarment, disclosed herein.

FIG. 2 depicts a posterior view of the embodiment of a shapewear garmentdepicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 depicts a medial view of one embodiment of a shapewear garment,disclosed herein.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a shapewear garment of one embodiment ofa shapewear garment, disclosed herein; and

FIG. 5 is another perspective view of a shapewear garment of oneembodiment of a shapewear garment, disclosed herein.

FIG. 6 is a rear view showing a model wearing a shapewear garment inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention on the right (A) and thesame model not wearing the shapewear garment in accordance with theinvention on the left (B).

FIG. 7 is a side view showing a model wearing a shapewear garment inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention on the right (A) and thesame model not wearing the shapewear garment in accordance with theinvention on the left (B).

FIG. 8 is a front view showing a model wearing a shapewear garment inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention on the right (A) and thesame model not wearing the shapewear garment in accordance with theinvention on the left (B).

To facilitate understanding of the disclosure, identical referencenumerals have been used, wherever possible, to designate identicalelements that are common to the figures. It is contemplated thatelements of one embodiment may be beneficially incorporated in otherembodiments without further recitation.

IV. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention generally comprises a shapewear garment that accentuatesthe natural body shape of the the wearer by smoothing and sculpting thewearers hips and buttocks without appreciably changing the dimensionalprofile of the hips and buttocks. In accordance with the invention, thegarment includes front and back body panels comprised of a compressivefabric. As used herein, the term “compressive fabric” refers to a fabricthat appreciably changes the dimensional profile (size and/or shape) ofthe wearer.

The back body panel includes a cutout in the central buttock region. Acontouring panel is attached to the back panel in such a manner as tocover the cutout. As used herein, the term “contouring fabric” refers toa fabric that accentuates and/or smooths the wearers shape withoutappreciably changing the dimensional profile.

The garment further includes first and second side cutouts in the hipregion. A contouring panel is attached to the each side panel along theperiphery of the cutout to assist the natural shape of the hips to takeform. In some embodiments, the contouring panel overlaps slightly withthe garment. In some embodiments, the front panel may include areinforcing panel to assist in tummy flattening.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the side mesh panels10, the front reinforced mesh panel 2, and the back mesh panel 12contour to the wearer's body. The front body panel 6 and the back bodypanel 14 provide support to the wearer's abdomen and back. The garmentcombines structure to the wearer's front and back side, while placingdifferent mesh panels to allow the garment to contour to a wearer's bodywhile still providing support. The wearer therefore receives support and“tuck” to their abdomen and buttocks without the unattractive blockyshape that comes from shapewear garments that force a particular shapeon the wearer.

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are perspective depictions of the garment worn by awearer, and depict an embodiment of the garment.

In an embodiment, the side mesh panels 10, the front reinforced meshpanel 2, and the back mesh panel 12 are made of a mesh material, such asa solid power mesh fabric. Suitable power mesh fabrics are comprised ofe.g., a nylon spandex blend. In some embodiments, the power meshincludes 50% nylon or greater (e.g., 60% or greater, 70% or greater, 80%or greater. In some embodiments, the power mesh includes 50% spandex orless (e.g., 40% or less, 30% or less, 20% or less 10% or less). In someembodiments a nylon spandex 77/23 blend is used. In other embodiments an80/20 blend is used. The use of the power mesh material functions tomatch a wearer's body shape without forcing the wearer into a particularform and is also aesthetically pleasing.

In another embodiment, the front reinforced mesh panel 2 is not a meshblend, but an unblended material, such as nylon.

It is contemplated that the wearer would primarily be a woman with apear or hour-glass shape, but enhances the shape of a woman with astraight, oval or inverted rectangle shape. It is understood that thegarment can be adapted to be worn by any man, woman, or child. The bodyshapes discussed herein refer to the standard characterizations of bodyshape known in the art.

FIG. 1 is an anterior view of a shapewear garment, according to oneembodiment of the invention. A front body panel 6 has a cutoutreinforced portion where a front mesh, spandex and support panels areintegrated 2. In some embodiments, the reinforced portion may alsoinclude a moisture wicking fabric layer and/or a temperature regulatingfabric layer. On either side of the front body panel 6 are side meshpanels 10, cut and attached to the front body panel 6. On the posteriorside of the front body panel 6 is an inside support panel 4 thatprovides additional structure to the front body panel 6. A bridge 8 madefrom a fabric less rigid than the front body panel 6 covers a cutoutportion between where a wearer's crotch would be. In an alternativeembodiment, the garment has an aperture in place of a bridge.

A band 16 is attached on the top side of the front body panel 6. Theband 16 wraps around the waist of a wearer. In some embodiments, theband 16 can be made from lace, milliskin, or other elastic materialsknown in the art.

FIG. 2 is a posterior view of the shapewear garment in FIG. 1. A backbody panel 14 has a cutout portion where a back mesh panel 12 isattached. On either side of the back body panel 14 are side mesh panels10, cut and attached to the back body panel 14. The bridge 8 is attachedto cover the cutout portion between the front body panel 6 and back bodypanel 14. The side mesh panels 10 are similarly attached to the backbody panel 14.

The back mesh panel 12 eliminates the need for a hole on the backside ofthe garment, which in the art is sometimes used to create the appearanceof full buttocks. The back mesh panel 12 provides additional support toprevent tearing of the garment.

In some embodiments, the garment is seamless. In some embodiments, thegarment comprises cut and formed panels. The panels may be stitchedaccording to any manner known in the art, such as a zig-zag stitch or anoverlock stitch.

FIG. 3 depicts a medial view of one embodiment of a shapewear garment,with a “heart-shaped” side panel 10. It is understood that theindividual panels can take any shape, wherein the garment stillfunctions in the manner disclosed. Alternative shapes for the front meshpanel 2, back mesh panel 12, and side mesh panels 10 can be in the shapeof a heart, shown in FIG. 3, but generally any aesthetically pleasingshape can be used.

The garment can be made from any fabric known in the art for use ofshapewear and undergarments, wherein the restraining and smoothingaspects of the garment are retained. For example, the garment can bemade from a nylon/spandex blend, flat milliskin, or other elasticmaterial. In some embodiments, the garment is a pair of pants, jeans,underwear, undergarments, yoga pants, shorts, or tights. The garment maybe reversible (flipped inside-out or forward to back). In someembodiments, the garment is intended to be worn as a women's panties,part of leg hosiery, or as a liner under skirts, dresses, or pants. Inanother embodiment, the garment is a panty that attaches to hosiery. Themanner of attachment may be sewn, glued, or generally any means known inthe art.

While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the invention, otherand further embodiments of the invention may be devised withoutdeparting from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof isdetermined by the claims that follow.

The garments disclosed are intended as illustrations of a few aspects ofthe claims any garments that are functionally equivalent are intended tofall within the scope of the claims. Other combinations of garments(e.g., different combinations of fabrics and how the individual elementsof the garment are attached to one another, as well as differentarticles of clothing the garment can be, such as panties or shapewear)are intended to fall within the scope of the claims, even if notspecifically recited.

1. A garment comprising: a front body panel; a back body panel includinga cutout section having a mesh panel attached thereto; side contouringpanels on either side; a mesh reinforcement layer attached to the frontbody panel for tummy control; and a back contouring panel, and whereinthe contouring panels are formed from a contouring fabric to allow thewearers hips and waist to take their natural shape.
 2. (canceled)
 3. Thegarment of claim 1 wherein the front body panel includes a cutoutreinforced portion.
 4. The garment of claim 3 wherein the cutoutreinforced portion includes a moisture wicking fabric layer and atemperature regulating fabric layer.
 5. The garment of claim 4 furthercomprising an inside support panel disposed on a posterior side of thefront body panel.
 6. The garment of claim 1 wherein said meshreinforcement layer comprises a power mesh fabric.
 7. The garment ofclaim 6 wherein the power mesh fabric includes 50% spandex or less. 8.The garment of claim 6 wherein the power mesh fabric includes a nylonspandex blend.
 9. The garment of claim 8 wherein the power mesh fabriccomprises about 80% nylon and about 20% spandex.
 10. The garment ofclaim 1 further comprising a waistband attached to a top side of thefront body panel.
 11. A garment comprising: a front body panel formedfrom a compressive fabric; a back body panel including a cutout in acentral buttock region; a contouring panel attached to said back panelin such a manner as to cover the cutout in said back panel; first andsecond side panels; a cutout positioned in a hip region of each of saidfirst and second side panels; a contouring panel attached each of saidfirst and second side panels along a periphery of the first and secondside cutouts.
 12. The garment of claim 11 wherein the back body panelincludes a cutout section having a mesh panel attached thereto.
 13. Thegarment of claim 12 wherein the front body panel includes a cutoutreinforced portion.
 14. The garment of claim 13 further comprising aninside support panel disposed on a posterior side of the front bodypanel.
 15. The garment of claim 13 wherein the cutout reinforced portionincludes a moisture wicking fabric layer and a temperature regulatingfabric layer.
 16. The garment of claim 15 further comprising an insidesupport panel disposed on a posterior side of the front body panel. 17.The garment of claim 11 wherein said mesh reinforcement layer comprisesa power mesh fabric.
 18. The garment of claim 17 wherein the power meshfabric includes 50% spandex or less.
 19. The garment of claim 18 furthercomprising a waistband attached to a top side of the front body panel.20. The garment of claim 17 wherein the power mesh fabric includes anylon spandex blend.
 21. The garment of claim 20 wherein the power meshfabric comprises about 80% nylon and about 20% spandex.
 22. The garmentof claim 20 further comprising a waistband attached to a top side of thefront body panel.
 23. The garment of claim 11 further comprising awaistband attached to a top side of the front body panel.